Singapore 2012 SB20 National Championship

The Singapore SB20 National Championship was held over the weekend of 4-5 November at raffles Marina in Singapore. A competitive fleet of eight boats made the start on Saturday and Sunday, and was greeted by a very pleasant force 2-3, with perhaps some stronger gusts. The Race officer got four races in on each day, and did a great job of deciding when the wind was about to die, and the rains about to fall, and getting the fleet ashore with enough time to put the boats to bed, whilst it was still dry.

The racing proved to be a family affair with MenOnPause taking the overall title, sailed the Hill family (Father, Mother and Son) and winning six out of the eight races. Scumbag (Jono) and Hullabaloo (John Preistly) took the other two first places. The racing was incredibly close throughout the regatta, with the fleet now having pretty similar boat speed, and the differences being in crew work and tactics. More than one raised voice was heard from the back of the boats as skippers encouraged their crews to get the kite up or down depending on the mark.

It was good to see some new members of the fleet, especially the Singapore Management University (SMU) crew on SMUXY take to the water. Special mention must go to John Priestly, who, whilst sailing a borrowed boat (Hullabaloo), managed to ram his own boat (Su Me) in a port / starboard incident which he had lent to Chris Holmes (who could not launch his own boat due to trailer issues). Overall a good time was had by all, with great racing on the water, and some well-deserved cold beers off the water.